Mammals

Mammals are one of the largest classes of vertebrate animals. At Potter
Park Zoo we are home to many different members of the mammal class, who
comprise the largest portion of our collection.

From the massive
blue whales of the oceans to the tiny tenrecs living at Potter Park
Zoo, mammals come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. However, there are
two things that all mammals have in common, they have hair and produce
milk to nourish their young! They are also warm-blooded, or
endothermic. This means they generate their own body heat through
metabolism, keeping them warmer than their surroundings. Mammals occupy
all continents and can live on land, below ground, in trees, in the air
and in fresh or salt water. Humans are members of the mammal family.